Staring up at the small neon sign of the Black Light gay bar and club, David felt his stomach twist into an even tighter knot. He had tried so hard to get George back into the mood after their tiny trieste in the bathroom, but each time he tried to even steal a chaste kiss afterward, the man flat out dodged him.

He wouldn't even let me near him today, or while we slept. He slept on the floor!

Frustration had finally won out. If George didn't want him. Thought him annoying. Which he'd verbally said several times in the past two days, then he wouldn't bother him anymore. Someone will want me. He reminded himself as he straightened his shoulders and hesitantly stepped inside of the dark club, lit entirely by giant black lights fastened to the ceiling.

The music pumped loud from speakers placed about, just out of the way enough to not risk being run into as they blared the newest hits. The dance floor, something David never found of interest, was packed full with bodies gyrating in every direction against everything and anything. When a young guy at least a head taller than him slipped from the crowd and began stalking toward him, David weighed his options. He had come for some desperately needed attention and affection, but did he want an actual relationship?

No.

He had tried so hard to get George to like him, and even though the guy had said that his scars didn't matter and David gave him the literal verbal offer of free sex and attention, he still ran.

If only Master Orion wasn't taken. It was a selfish thought. David knew he had lost his chance with Orion a long time ago. Then when Zachary came into the man's life? That had sealed the deal. He'd seen the way Orion stared at the guy. He worshiped Zach and David was pretty sure that Zachary saw a god in Orion, too.

"Hey there, cutie."

Blinking, David looked up at the man now standing directly in front of him. He was handsome. Definitely knew it, too, judging from the way he was smirking down at him. Reminded by the unfamiliar lack of weight around his neck, David forced a smile.

"Hello."

The man offered a hand, which David took. His fingers were strong, surrounding his and giving a strong squeeze that sent a small shiver down David's spine.

"My name is Tommy, what's yours, cutie?"

As the man spoke, he guided David over to the bar. Both of them took a seat and Tommy ordered them a drink.

"David." He replied as he sipped at the beer the bartender slipped him. Normally he would check his drinks, but since the bartender gave it directly to him, he just hurried to get a few mouthfuls of liquid courage into his veins. He felt Tommy's eyes on him, likely taking in his tight white jeans that flared slightly at his knees, allowing him to wear them without upsetting his healing skin. As well as his dark green long-sleeved shirt. After another full minute of looking, Tommy reached over and gently grasped David's arm and tugged him into his lap.

"I hope I'm not being too forward, but I can't help but want to touch."

Even as he spoke Tommy's hands were getting comfortable on David's belly, beneath his shirt.

Why can't George like me like this? Or at all...

Biting back a sigh, David nestled himself against the man as he felt fingers play gently over his belly. They remained that way for several minutes as music pumped through their bones. It was making him restless, and he knew Tommy could tell because he was fidgeting in the man's lap. The reason David knew the guy knew? He was getting extremely hard beneath him. David thought about accepting the obvious offer of release and some much needed physical attention, but then he remembered his legs. Especially his burned one, but also the other one. Both were damaged and would be impossible to hide if he had sex.

"While I am very interested in getting you naked and in bed, might I offer just a short session as a dominant and submissive?"

He's offering no sex... just attention and whatever I would be okay with.

Nodding, David quickly slid from Tommy's lap and turned to smile and take his hand.

"Please."

They walked to one of the back rooms he used to spend hours in with Domino before they began dating. He pushed all thoughts of him out of his mind and focused his whole attention on Tommy as they stepped inside. Tommy immediately pressed the switch on the door, telling anyone wondering that the room was in use, but not locked per the rules of the club. He then walked over to David and began running his fingers through his short hair. When David leaned into the gesture, Tommy guided him slowly over toward where they both knew a table would be that had several small ropes and cuffs. The club only supplied simple bondage items unless the patron decided to pay for others or brought their own. Obviously for sanitary reasons.

Just having the ropes, however, was plenty for David. He gladly turned when he felt a slight pressure against his side, silently asking him to do so. As the ropes began to slip around his wrists after he placed them behind his back, David felt the familiarity of the situation settle some of his nerves.

"How tight, hun?"

David lulled his head to look over his shoulder.

"Very."

Tommy grinned and nodded, his dark brown hair swishing in front of his eyes as his hands worked expertly to secure the constricting rope. David let his head tilt back, expecting to feel a jolt of need begin to well in the pit of his belly that would make him beg for more... yet there was nothing.

Odd.

"Another?"

David nodded quickly, moving his head to look down at his waist.

Nothing.

He felt another rope, this one leather instead of twine, as it winded its way around his waist, then moved up and over each shoulder as they crossed his chest. When the ends were finally tied bruisingly-tight between his shoulder-blades, he still felt nothing but bland pain.

I probably just need to get used to it again. I've been starved for it for the past few weeks.

With that thought, he allowed himself to be touched, tied, and loved by the man he didn't know. All clothing stayed on, but even as orders were uttered and obeyed, David felt nothing. Even as he was bound to a pole and hands roved over every inch of his clothed body hungrily, he felt nothing.

"Um..." David mumbled after another several minutes passed and he just got more anxious. He felt Tommy lean away and heard him sigh. A moment later and the man was unfastening the rope, then leather.

"I'm sorry." David said as he rubbed his wrists to return some of the feeling.

Tommy shrugged, a half smile on his handsome face. "I have a feeling that I'm not the one you want trussing you up, David. I've never played with someone with less enthusiasm."

He chuckled at the last comment, making David blush in embarrassment. Before he could get another word out the door was shoved open, the knob crashing against the wall before the door swung back and bounced right off of the brick wall-of-a-man standing in its frame.

"George...?"

Tommy shook his head, grinning from David to George.

"Ah, now that is a look I know. Too bad it's not for me, cutie, but I'll leave you with your dom now."

He stopped by the door to clap George on the shoulder and wink. "You're a lucky guy, I wish I could have stolen his heart before you got here."

When Tommy looked down at the belt clasped in George's white-knuckled hand, his lips quirked up into a grin. "Go get em'." With that, the guy left. Leaving David to press his back against the wall as George stepped inside the room and shut the door, turning the little bolt that would symbolize the room being in use.

Uh oh.

He had no idea why he should be worried, though. George hadn't wanted him! He thought leaving him alone would finally make him happy. "I don't understand," David finally whispered as George began to slowly stalk closer. When he stopped in the middle of the room, right next to the large queen sized bed, David felt his muscles bunch. He felt like a kitten being cornered by a lion.

I'm never intimidated. He's not my dominant. I don't answer to him!

"Come here, David."

Yet, as soon as the man spoke, David felt compelled to go to him. To run to him. To get on his knees and just look up at him with all of the eagerness he felt in his bones to please the man.

Dammit all! He doesn't want you, idiot!

Planting himself firmly where he stood, though it took all of his effort, David held strong. Even though he couldn't even get the simple word no, to leave his mouth.

George seemed to realize that he wasn't going to get his way so easily. He glanced around the room until his eyes landed on the twine and leather ropes that had been tossed on the bed. He grabbed them both, eyeing them unnervingly. He forced himself to steel his nerves against the obvious dislike for what the ropes really stood for and walked up to him. With only a dull lamp lighting the small room, David's vision was basically stuck on George. Not that he would have looked away, even if he could. He'd prayed for days and nights that George would walk toward him with purpose... and with ropes in his hands.

The first thing he did when he stopped in front of him was to settle the ropes over his right shoulder and lean down, fastening the modified belt David had taken off before leaving Xena's club. He'd set it on George's small nightstand after he'd showered and gotten changed. With the familiar weight returned to his neck, David had to fight himself not to burst out crying. He wasn't a crier.

"I'm sorry, David."

What?

Jerking his head up a little higher, David bit his lip hard, then whispered out a quiet reply. "F-for what?"

Then George leaned down, grabbing his hair in a painful fist as their lips crashed together for a brief second. David's mind was still spinning when George leaned away, the pain making his pants begin to get a bit too tight.

Why are you reacting now, you stupid body! He doesn't want you!

"I'm sorry I'm an asshole. I'm sorry I don't understand. I'm sorry your rope and pain fetish creeps me the hell out." Thanks for that last one. "But dammit, David, just because I'm an idiot doesn't mean you should just go off trying to get laid by random other idiot!"

David felt his face heating up, suddenly glad that the room was fairly dark as he mumbled, "I thought you were a monkey... not an idiot."

George rolled his eyes, crossing his muscled arms over his chest with a snarky look. "Ape. I'm an ape." He turned around, then glanced over his shoulder. "See? No tail. And I often feel the need to throw my feces, though so far my valiant effort not to do so has proven successful."

Unable to help himself, David let a tiny chuckle slip from his lips. The faint sound seemed to light up George's eyes as he turned back to face him and knelt down on one knee, taking David's hands in his much larger ones.

"Please, David, give me a real chance? I can't be what you're used to or what you want yet. I don't even know what the hell I'm saying. I've never really liked anyone and I sure as hell have never done what I did with you in the bathroom the other day, with anyone else. God damn that had freaked me out."

When David made a face, George hastily continued. "N-not in a bad way. Just, dammit, I'm not a normal guy, okay! I'm disgusted by the whole BDSM thing you and Orion have going on. I hate your piece of shit ex and I really hope he comes back so I can bust his face up. I also suck at cooking, like, I could barely peal a banana without somehow hurting myself..."

David quickly interjected. "Pealing a banana isn't cooking."

George gave him a glare, making David bite his bottom lip to stop the grin that wanted to slip onto his face.

"So...?" George asked, his body uncharacteristically fidgety.

"So...?" David repeated, his own body language just as nervous, if not more-so.

They both eyed each other for several more seconds before George awkwardly began to lean in again after standing. His palm gently pressed against David's cheek, and immediately, David leaned into the gruff feeling skin that proved George likely disappeared to a gym when he had time off.

"David?"

Blinking away tears, David swallowed and forced his eyes to remain on George's. He tried to open his mouth and reply, but words just wouldn't come out. Instead, not wanting to leave George hanging on such a vulnerable topic, he leaned up on his toes and pressed his lips fleetingly against the gruff man's.

"I understand, and I'm sorry, too. I kept pushing you even though I knew you had no experience and were uncomfortable. I was just so used to being obsessed over, even in a bad way. Um, can we maybe try and start over?"

When George gave a tiny smile and nodded, David felt his heart give a little stutter. He hesitantly reached up, knowing that he had to remove the collar. Just for now. The idea of doing it still hurt though. He was just feeling the buckle out to undo it when George grabbed his wrists and moved them back to rest at his sides.

"That stays. God knows I don't need someone else trying to steal what I'm trying to figure out. And I sure as hell don't need to figure out if I'm the jealous type."

David already knew the answer, judging from how he'd heard about George laying Domino flat on his back when he'd come to try and take him back. He'd keep that to himself though, not wanting to spoil the moment.

Oh my god. We're having a moment!

It hadn't really dawned on him until just then. Unable to contain his excitement, David leaped up and wrapped his arms around George's shoulders. The hug was made even better when he felt strong arms awkwardly encircle him and squeeze.

When he was finally set down from the hug, George leaned back in. David, of course, expected another kiss, but when he opened his previously-closed eyes, he realized that George was chuckling... and he now had a rope tied around his waist.

Huh?

"Come on, let's go. I tied you up, now you're officially mine, right?"

George tugged on the rope, making David move toward the door. It made absolutely no sense... and the rope belonged to the club, but as he was lead out like a cow being towed across a field, David couldn't help but smile at the back of his frustrated new boyfriend's head.

"Yeah. That's exactly how it works."